"I'll try," answered Andy.
"I'd like to go through the menagerie. You see I'm not regular, so, while I have the run of the small tops, they won't pass me in at the big flaps."
Andy walked over with his new acquaintance to the menagerie. The watchman at the door admitted them at a word from Andy.
The trainers, keepers and manager were busy about the place, feeding the animals, cleaning the cages and the like.
Luke's eyes sparkled as if at last he found himself in his element. He petted the camels affectionately, and talked to the elephants in a purring, winning tone that made more than one of them look at him as if pleased at his attention.
The lion cages were Luke's grand centre of interest. He stood watching old Sultan, the king of the menagerie, like one entranced.
Luke began talking to the beast in a musical, coaxing tone. The animal sat grim as a statue. Luke thrust his hand into his pocket. As he withdrew it he rested his fingers on the edge of the cage.
The lion never stirred, but its eyes described a quick, rolling movement.
"Look out!" warned Andy—"he's watching you."
"I want him to," answered Luke coolly.